New guy from NYC
#1
Drops small screws
Thread Starter
New guy from NYC
Hi, everyone,
I finally started an account here because every time I google something about bikes, I get an archived bikeforums page--and it's usually one of the more useful results of the search.
I'm a bicycle commuter in NYC (26 miles/day on a modified Dahon Matrix when childcare logistics allow; 13 miles/day as a compromise sometimes; 0 miles a day more often than I'd prefer), and I do the occasional organized century tour on a Trek 1000SL. The Trek has never been all that comfortable, especially on my hands. It was my first road bike, and I bought what Bicycling Magazine called the best entry road bike of the year. It's a perfectly good bike, but I realized it makes more sense for somebody who wants to go fast. I like increasing my average speed on a century, but I don't really care who I beat to the finish line.
My wife wants to do a credit-card tour of Quebec next summer with our twin four-year-olds (they're currently three), so I'm thinking of selling the 1000SL instead of spending money trying to turn it into a touring bike, and getting a real touring bike instead, breaking in a Brooks saddle, and getting a year's worth of fussing and tinkering done before setting out on the trip. It'll probably only be 30-40 miles/day (my wife's not a bike nut), but I'd be hauling a child trailer and carrying STUFF, so something like a Trek 520 or Cannondale Touring model seems appropriate, and I'm reading about the Novara Randonee, as well.
So anyway--nice to meet you all. (And Paulie--I moved from Queens to Washington Heights a few months ago. Woodside was part of my daily commute.)
Keith
I finally started an account here because every time I google something about bikes, I get an archived bikeforums page--and it's usually one of the more useful results of the search.
I'm a bicycle commuter in NYC (26 miles/day on a modified Dahon Matrix when childcare logistics allow; 13 miles/day as a compromise sometimes; 0 miles a day more often than I'd prefer), and I do the occasional organized century tour on a Trek 1000SL. The Trek has never been all that comfortable, especially on my hands. It was my first road bike, and I bought what Bicycling Magazine called the best entry road bike of the year. It's a perfectly good bike, but I realized it makes more sense for somebody who wants to go fast. I like increasing my average speed on a century, but I don't really care who I beat to the finish line.
My wife wants to do a credit-card tour of Quebec next summer with our twin four-year-olds (they're currently three), so I'm thinking of selling the 1000SL instead of spending money trying to turn it into a touring bike, and getting a real touring bike instead, breaking in a Brooks saddle, and getting a year's worth of fussing and tinkering done before setting out on the trip. It'll probably only be 30-40 miles/day (my wife's not a bike nut), but I'd be hauling a child trailer and carrying STUFF, so something like a Trek 520 or Cannondale Touring model seems appropriate, and I'm reading about the Novara Randonee, as well.
So anyway--nice to meet you all. (And Paulie--I moved from Queens to Washington Heights a few months ago. Woodside was part of my daily commute.)
Keith
#2
Lanky Lass
Hi Keith, you have obviously been making great use of the resources here! Great job . What's your budget for the tourer?
Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions !
East Hill
Forum Moderator
Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions !
East Hill
Forum Moderator
__________________
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
#3
Drops small screws
Thread Starter
I actually got out for an honest-to-god ride today, so I'm posting from a Dunkin Donuts in Nyack...
Budget? What's a budget? I have credit cards.
BTW, one of the pictures of your bike looks like it may have been taken on a trail near my mom's house in Arcata (next to Eureka).
Budget? What's a budget? I have credit cards.
BTW, one of the pictures of your bike looks like it may have been taken on a trail near my mom's house in Arcata (next to Eureka).
Last edited by noteon; 05-24-08 at 01:51 PM.
#4
Lanky Lass
Yay, a ride!
Are you talking about the Sachs? I travelled through NorCal on my way back up to Puget Sound, and I did indeed stop and do some riding in and around Arcata/Eureka.
East Hill
Are you talking about the Sachs? I travelled through NorCal on my way back up to Puget Sound, and I did indeed stop and do some riding in and around Arcata/Eureka.
East Hill
__________________
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
#5
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Riverview, Florida
Posts: 1,137
Bikes: Trek 4900
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Great to hear from someone from NYC...especially a commuter! Sounds like you got your 'stuff' together about your bike already. Enjoy the forums and for your own good, stay out of the "basement".(Politics & Religion) No good ever comes from the ankle biting crowd.
#6
Drops small screws
Thread Starter
Wfin, I'll keep that in mind about the basement. Though I'm not sure whether that's so I can avoid it or dip a toe in.
Nice to meet you all.